The 2010 United States tomato shortage was a shortage of tomatoes in the United States between March and April 2010 caused by unseasonably cold weather in Florida in January 2010 which destroyed 60-70% of the state's tomato crop.[1] There was also a shortage of tomatoes over the new year holiday, caused by the Californian harvest finishing before the Florida harvest began.[2]
| Time | March 2010–April 2010 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 month |
| Location | United States |
| Cause | Cold weather in Florida |
| Outcome |
|
The shortage caused several fast food chains to stop offering tomatoes unless requested[3][4] and supermarkets rationed their supplies.[5]
Prices for tomatoes in the Eastern United States reached prices several times the cost prior to the crop loss.[5][6] Wholesale prices rose from around $7 for a 25 lb box to $30.[7] During the shortage, more tomatoes were imported from Canada[8] and Mexico.[5]
The total cost of the cold weather to Florida tomato producers was approximately $150 million, according to USDA calculations.[5]
The tomato shortage came to an end around late April 2010, as crops had recovered.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Ellis, Blake (March 11, 2010). "Fast food chains face tomato famine". CNNMoney.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
- ^ Carol Reiter (January 11, 2010). "Tomato price appears to come back down to earth". Merced Sun-Star. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
- ^ Katherine Scott (March 9, 2010). "Tomato shortage hitting restaurants, stores". WPVI-TV. Archived from the original on 11 March 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
- ^ Stefano Esposito (March 4, 2010). "Feeling the squeeze: Fresh tomatoes are in short supply". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on April 13, 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
- ^ a b c d Scott Killman & Julie Jargon (March 3, 2010). "Tomatoes Get Sliced From Menus". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
- ^ a b Stephanie Barry (April 21, 2010). "Tomato shortage coming to an end". MassLive.com. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
- ^ Monique Beech (March 22, 2010). "Tomato shortage to help Niagara greenhouses". St. Catharines Standard. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
- ^ "Canada helping ease US tomato shortage". Foodnavigator-usa.com. March 17, 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
